Vietnam Wall in Manistique

Paul Walker

Wall coordinator, Manistique

EDITOR:

The Vietnam Moving Memorial Wall will be in Manistique today through Monday at the marina.

Inscribed on the black granite walls are the names of more than 58,000 men and women who gave their lives or remain missing. The memorial is dedicated to honoring the courage, sacrifice, devotion to duty and country of all who answered the call to serve during one of the most divisive wars in U.S. history.

The Memorial Wall lists the names of those killed and missing in action in chronological order to the date of the casualty. The crosses by some names represent those who are missing and unaccounted for, the diamond appears by a name indicated that person listed was killed in action.

The purpose of bringing the Vietnam Moving Memorial Wall to Manistique is to teach, heal, remember, honor and share.

Our opening ceremony is 6 p.m. today. Friday, the Ride to the Wall starts at 6 p.m. at Rodgers Park — those who have a motorcycle are asked to join. The veterans parade will follow — meet at Manistique High School, starting at 6:15 p.m. All veterans from the region are invited to march or ride to the wall for the “Welcome Home” ceremony. Rides will be provided for disabled veterans.

Saturday, our federal, state and local elected officials will be here in Manistique to speak. Sunday, the Manistique Ministerial Association will have a 1 p.m. service at the wall. At 5 p.m. that day, we will read the names of our fallen Upper Peninsula Vietnam veterans as inscribed on the wall.

At noon Monday, we will have closing ceremonies, the reading of the names of all Michigan POWs and MIAs, and our closing message.

We owe a great thank you to our businesses and our community who helped us pay to bring the Memorial Wall here. Volunteers are still needed to help with security, set up and tear down. Also, we need disposable utensils and plates, baked goods and food items to help feed the many people volunteering at “Wall that Heals.” You can find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/VietnamMemorialWallMSTQ. Or call 906-450-0321.